TheNewsGuru

Tag: Imo State

  • I am being held hostage – Okorocha cries out as EFCC operatives lay siege to his residence

    I am being held hostage – Okorocha cries out as EFCC operatives lay siege to his residence

    Former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha has cried out that he is being held hostage as operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) laid siege to his Abuja residence on Tuesday.

    Okorocha who is vying for the seat of the President of Nigeria under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) revealed he was being held hostage at his residence in the Maitama area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    “I am under hostage I would say, the EFCC is at my house both the back and the front. I would say, I have enquired if they have an arrest warrant nothing, and  I am supposed to be getting ready for screening.

    “I don’t know what is really happening, It is unfortunate that this is happening here”, he confirmed to Channels TV.

    Okorocha disclosed that his next line of action will be to hold a press conference, adding that the EFCC cannot stop the press from entering his compound.

    “I am trying to address a press conference, Of course, the EFCC cannot stop the press from coming into my premises. They are inside my compound but the press is coming inside my house to interview me, they can’t stop them”, he insisted.

    When asked if he would be submitting himself to the anti-graft agency, the presidential aspirant said, “I’ll be here until I know what it is, because this is something serious, I want to see an arrest warrant or a court order”.

  • BREAKING: EFCC operatives lay siege to Okorocha’s Abuja residence [VIDEO]

    BREAKING: EFCC operatives lay siege to Okorocha’s Abuja residence [VIDEO]

    Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday stormed the residence of former Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha.

    The anti-graft agency team stormed the residence of the former governor in the Maitama area of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to arrest him.

    In a video already trending on social media and obtained by TheNewsGuru.com (TNG), the EFCC operatives were seen within the premises of the former governor.

    They insisted that Okorocha, who is seeking to contest the presidential election on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), should submit himself for arrest or honour a long-standing invitation to their office.

    Watch video below:

     

    This is okorocha’s home in Abuja on the morning of APC presidential primary screening.

    EFCC chose this day to invade his home, to stop his screening.

    If you don’t believe that everything happening to Okorocha since 2019 is politically sponsored to stop his presidential ambition, then you shouldn’t be arguing politics with me.

    EFCC is a political attack machinery for some people .

    Posted by Abazu Ebuka on Tuesday, 24 May 2022

  • Planned Security Conference: Gov. Uzodimma sets up committee

    Planned Security Conference: Gov. Uzodimma sets up committee

    A security committee has been set up by Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo state ahead of a planned security conference in the state.

    This was disclosed by the state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Declan Emelumba, on Wednesday during a news conference on the outcome of the state’s Executive Council meeting in Owerri.

    Emelumba said the committee would be headed by the Commissioner for Homeland Security and Vigilante Affairs, Dr Ugorji Okechwukwu Ugorji.

    He said the governor also set up another committee, headed by the Commissioner for Livestock Development, Mrs Obiageri Ajoku, to work out modalities for the inspection and construction of modern abattoirs in the state.

    “The committee is to visit the Somachi Abattoir to examine the sanitary conditions and determine whether it was fit as a place where animals are slaughtered for public consumption,” he said.

    According to him, the committee is expected to work out the needs of meat dealers and consumers, in consideration of the construction of modern abattoirs.

    Emelumba also expressed the executive council’s delight over the performance of the state’s para-athletes at the recently concluded first-ever National Para-Sports Games in Abuja.

    “The executive council was delighted to note that the Imo contingent for this year’s para games came sixth overall in the country and first in the South East, winning a total of 59 medals.

    “Out of this, 16 gold, 25 silver and 18 bronze were won.

    “His Excellency has graciously agreed to host them at a close date to appreciate them and encourage future athletes to do better.

    ” It is a thing of joy that they made the state and the people proud by coming tops at the competition,” he said.

    Emelumba stated with delight, Gov. Uzodimma’s donation of some trailer loads of textbooks to primary, secondary and tertiary schools to help facilitate quality education in the state.

    “EXCO frowned at the continued appropriation of government land and property by unscrupulous elements, conniving with agencies of government, particularly those in the ministries.

    “Government warns that those doing so, are doing so at their own risk, because the process of automation of these lands are ongoing.

    “Once completed, all the lands taken through forgery of Certificate of Occupancy will be recovered and those involved punished accordingly,” he added.

    He said the massive road construction campaign which had recorded much progress, in spite of the raining season, had been the hallmark of the Uzodimma led-administration.

    Emelumba assured the people of the state that the campaign across the state would be sustained in spite of rains, especially on MCC and Egbu roads.

  • NBC clarifies position on Rivers, Imo oil wells disputes

    NBC clarifies position on Rivers, Imo oil wells disputes

    The National Boundary Commission (NBC) has clarified its position on the oil well disputes between Rivers State and Imo State, stressing that there was no time it was interested in the disputes between the two states.

    NBC made the clarification, following an accusation of corruption made against the Commission by the Rivers State Government on the subsisting disputes between the two states.

    According to a statement made available to TheNewsGuru.com (TNG), the interstate boundary between Imo and Rivers had not been demarcated as a result of Rivers’ uncooperative attitude towards a peaceful resolution of the disputed portion.

    The Commission, therefore, denied any act of corruption in its conduct in respect to the Imo/Rivers interstate boundary.

    The statement reads: “As far back as January 2003, a joint meeting of official on the Imo/Rivers interstate boundary was held in Owerri to deliberate on the modalities of the demarcation but unfortunately both state were evidently not ready for the physical tracing and the provisional demarcation of the boundary.

    “The only success recorded was the decision on the relevant instruments for use on the boundary which were identified as: Aboh Toposheets 311, Aba Toposheets 32, Ahaoda Toposheet 320, Okigwe Toposheet 312, State creation Decree No.14 of 1967, and State creation Decree No.12 of 1976.

    “In its concerted efforts to carry out its core mandate of intervening, determining and dealing with boundary disputes, the NBC again held another meeting in October 2011 at Port Harcourt to review the previous efforts and come up with a new strategy for the tracing and demarcation.

    “Based on the uncooperative actions previously displayed by the states and some other states, the National Boundary Commission resolved never again to allow the apathetic nature of the states to impede on the Commission’s functions.

    “Consequently, the NBC resolved to pursue the agreements of the Joint Meeting of Officials held in Abuja in March, 2020 diligently. It was agreed at that meeting, that parties would meet on documents to be used and thereafter undertake sensitisation campaign preparatory to the field work.

    “In its characteristic manner, Rivers state again reneged on the agreement and refused to participate both in the screening and authentication of documents exercise and other agreed action including to partake in the physical fieldwork citing a pending court case on the issue of ownership of oil wells.

    “The Commission categorically made it clear to the Rivers state government that the case in court bothered on the case of the ownership on the Oil wells and had absolutely nothing to do with the NBC’s assignment to determine the interstate boundary between Imo and Rivers

    state.

    “Having earlier resolved that the Commission would no longer “wait on longer”, states that do not wish to participate before doing that which is necessary for peace to reign, the NBC proceeded with the conduct of its work of physical tracing and provisional demarcation of the Imo/Rivers boundary.

    “It is so unfortunate, that the River State Government choose not to understand the modus operandi of the commission.

    “The Commission’s function with respect to interstate boundaries includes;to intervene determine and deal with any boundary dispute that may arise among state, local government areas or communities with a view to setting the disputes.

    “The Commission is also to, define and delimitate boundaries between States, Local Government Areas or Communities in the Federation in accordance with delimitation instrument or documents established for that purpose. These function are carried out in close collaboration with State and Local Government Boundary Committee.

    “It is very worrisome that boundary lines which are intended for administrative convenience tend to be misconstrued or deliberately interpreted as impediments and divisions in some quarters.

    “We want to make it categorically clear that the NBC was never an interested party in the Oil wells disputes between Imo and Rivers as it is not our mandate and so we never joined as a party in the suit between the States. It is therefore very insensitive for anybody to accuse the Commission of any collusive actions when she is not an interested party in the case.

    “We vehemently deny any act of corruption in its conduct in respect to the Imo/Rivers interstate boundary and any other one for that matter and we wish to further reassure all parties and stakeholders that we will continue to engage all and remain focused in the fulfilment of our mandate”.

  • OPAC frowns at Uzodinma’s government, says he will lose re-election

    OPAC frowns at Uzodinma’s government, says he will lose re-election

    Orlu Political Action Committee, (OPAC), has frowned at the Imo state Governor Hope Uzodinma for losing all 17 disputed oil wells to Rivers state.

    TheNewsGuru.com scooped that the Supreme Court verdict that settled the legal fireworks between Imo and Rivers state over the 17 oil wells ruled in favour of Rivers state.

    However, In a statement released on Saturday, OPAC, the group from Orlu, politically disowned Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma.

    OPAC has called the sons and daughters of Orlu currently serving in Governor Uzodinma’s cabinet to resign as a form of protest.

    Uzodinma is the immediate past Senator that represented Orlu Senatorial District in the National Assembly.

    The political group warned that any political party dealing with Uzodinma would be roundly rejected at the poll in 2023.

    The group’s Publicity Secretary, Barrister Nnamdi Maduka made this declaration in the statement made available to pressmen.

    The statement reads in part, “It is deeply unacceptable and unpardonable that our ancestral land has been taken away from us right under the watch of an Orlu son.

    “We have placed a perpetual ban on the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma from seeking re-election as governor, contesting any other election in future or holding any other public office upon the expiration of his current office.

    “Any political party that is dealing with Chief Uzodinma should be aware that the collective wrath of Orlu people awaits such party.

    “For us, this loss is occasioned primarily by the inability of the regime of Chief Hope Uzodinma to prioritize the legal battle and deploy other relevant political tools in asserting ownership over the land and its accompanying resources.

    “It is disheartening to note that while the litigation lasted, Chief Uzodinma lost focus and instead busied himself with frivolities and shameful political razzmatazz.

    “In the last few days, countless lives, including those of law enforcement personnel, have been lost. What is really worrisome is that the so-called helmsman of Imo has remained clueless over these killings.

    “The inept regime has continually blamed everyone else and everything else for killings but has neither budged about addressing the issue in a sustainable manner nor taken responsibility for its indefensible inability to protect the lives and property of our people.

    “Much of our territory in Orlu Zone, has today become uninhabitable. There are now more internally displaced persons in Orlu Zone than the entire Borno State. No investor thinks Orlu anymore.

     

    “Businesses have shuttered. Basic amenities are sorely lacking. Personal safety in Orlu today has become a mirage, and violent deaths have become as constant as the sun.

    “OPAC, therefore, finds it embarrassing, outrageous and condemnable that even in the face of these tragedies, Chief Uzodinma has begun plotting and putting up structures to pursue a second term ambition.

    “This is an open and unabashed assault on the memories of our departed brothers and sisters who died untimely as a result of the irresponsibility of the people in power. We cannot allow these ravages, miseries and agonies in our land to continue.

    “Also, OPAC mandates all indigenes of Orlu Zone who are serving the regime of Chief Uzodinma to immediately resign their positions and seek atonement and forgiveness from the people.

    “Whoever that comes from Orlu and serves a regime that brings tears to our people is a traitor who must be exposed and committed to the hall of shame.”

    OPAC reiterated that the Governor’s soft way of handling issues is a reminder of why he failed in curtailing insecurity in Imo state

     

  • Hoodlums in Imo kills Police Officer two months after resumption

    Hoodlums in Imo kills Police Officer two months after resumption

    The Imo State Police Command is mourning the gruesome murder of an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Ukam Efut, two after he resumed duty.
    The slain officer was shot dead on Tuesday at a security checkpoint at Agwa in the Oguta Local Government Area of the State.
    Our correspondent gathered that the deceased private parts were chopped off by his killers who fled with them.
    A community source told reporters that the gunmen met the cop and his colleagues at the checkpoint and opened fire on them.
    He said while Efut died on the spot, the other cops were lucky to have escaped.
    The source said, “Unknown gunmen killed a police officer at Agwa police divisional headquarters, Agwa, Oguta LGA, on Tuesday, May 3, 2022, around 4pm. The deceased officer, Ukam Efut, and two others were at a certain checkpoint, as usual, where they mounted a roadblock and were collecting money from illegal oil dealers.

    ALSO READ: Illegal oil Refinery : How 109 bodies got burnt to death in Imo state

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    “Ukam, the deceased officer, was shot dead and his private parts cut off by his killers. One of the other two officers sustained injuries on his face.

    “The incident was really unfortunate as they made away with the man’s private parts. The community is quiet now.”
    The Chairman of the community, Ekene Onyejiekwe, told our correspondent that the remains of the slain cop had been deposited in a morgue in Owerri.
    He said, “I received a distress call from the DCO of the police headquarters that a group of policemen had been attacked.
    “Before then, some of my people coming back from the farm told me about the incident first. The DCO asked me to assist in removing the slain cop. On arrival at the scene of the incident, I saw the DPO, DCO and the area commander. The area commander instructed that the remains of the fallen police officer be taken to a morgue.
    “Members of the community and security operatives took the body to the morgue in Owerri.”
    The police spokesperson for the command, Micheal Abattam, had yet to react to the incident as of press time.
    But a police source said the slain officer was newly posted to the area.
    The source said, “It is not up to two months that he was transferred from Abia State to the area. He was the administrative officer and had two years to his retirement before he was murdered. It is really painful.”

  • Slain Soldiers: IPOB, ESN reply Nigerian Army

    Slain Soldiers: IPOB, ESN reply Nigerian Army

    Aftermath of the beheading of about-to -wed soldiers in Imo state and subsequent accusation of IPOB/ESN for the murder of the miliraty couple,the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB has now replied the Nigerian Army.

    The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB has denied that it was involved in the gruesome murder of the slain soldiers.

    IPOB says it is not responsible for the murder of a military couple on transit to Imo State a few days ago.

    Recall that the soldiers, Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Audu M Linus (retired) and Private (Pte)Gloria Matthew, were beheaded on Saturday on their way to Imo for their traditional marriage.

    The Nigerian Army released a statement on Tuesday laying accusations at the door step of the secessionist group and its militant wing,saying they were responsible.

     

    The Army Director of Public Relations, Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement, expressed anger over IPOB’s alleged inability to spare a South Easterner.

    Meanwhile IPOB spokesman, Emma Powerful, released a staement denying their involvement in the murder of the soldiers saying they could not have hurt their daughter, describing the incident as abominable.

    The statement instead accused the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services, DSS of killing the military couple.

    The statement reads, “We, therefore, wish to place on record that IPOB has no hands in the said atrocity which is an abominable act in Igbo tradition. No true Igbo will hurt an in-law, how much more a married daughter (Ada) in Igbo land. Even the ancestors will avenge such wickedness.

    “We cannot kill our sister who is about to marry but those who killed them were those Nigerian government and its security agencies, especially the military and DSS created to demonize IPOB and ESN.

    “These agents of death some of whom we have made their identities public severally, are behind the killings of these soldiers, not IPOB or ESN operatives,” the separatist group claimed.

  • Beheading of two soldiers callous, wicked-Nigerian Army

    Beheading of two soldiers callous, wicked-Nigerian Army

    The Nigerian Army is still mourning the gruesome murder of two gallant soldiers who travelled home to Imo state to formalize their wedding as despicable and very wicked.

    The Army who has fingered IPOB/ESN for the murder has described the act as a witch-hunt on soldiers.

     

    In a statement signed and released on Tuesday, by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, on Saturday, April 30, 2022 state that they received information on the gruesome murder of two soldiers; Master Warrant Officer (MWO) Audu M Linus (retired) and Private (Pte) Gloria Matthew, by Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, Eastern Security Network (ESN).

    According to him, the soldiers (male&female) were murdered while travelling to Imo state to formalize their wedding in the Igbo traditional manner before they were apprehended and killed by IPOB/ESN in the state.

     

    He said though, one of the soldiers, Pte Gloria Matthew hails from Nkwerre LGA of Imo State, did not prevail on the sensibility of the dissidents, adding that the dastardly act, clearly portends the deep seated hate, desperation and lawlessness with which foot soldiers of IPOB/ESN have being unleashing terror on Ndigbo, whom they claimed, are on a mission to protect and emancipate, as well as other innocent Nigerians who are resident or transiting the South East.

    He reiterated the Nigerian Army will ensure the perpetrators of this dastardly act unleashed on its personnel do not go unpunished, just as it condoled with the families, relations and close associates of the victims.

    While enjoining members of the public to oblige security agencies with actionable information that will lead to the arrest of these criminals, he said the NA has commenced investigation to unmask and bring the criminals to book.

  • Armed Robbers attack empty bullion van in Imo

    Armed Robbers attack empty bullion van in Imo

    Men of the underworld have attacked a bullion van returning to Owerri from Ogbor-Nguru in Aboh Mbaise Local Government Area of Imo State.

    The robbery incident happened around the General hospital,Ogbor-Nguru around 1:30pm on Thursday, an eye witness Kennedy Onwunali told Journalists.

     

    According to him, he said the robbers fired gun shots at the van from Ahiara junction and forced it to somersault near the General Hospital

    He said the brave driver of a new generation bank escaped death with a bank official and a police escort when the van somersaulted a bit far from the assailants.

    He explained that the robbers were not able to loot the van because It was not carrying money.

    Michael Abattam the Imo state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), confirmed the incident and said the sketchy information at his disposal indicates the bullion van was returning after delivering money and was attacked by hoodlums.

    It was further gathered that the Police Area Command in Mbaise later launched a manhunt for the fleeing robbers, with the assurance that they would be arrested.

     

     

  • Desist from violent crimes – Uzodimma urges corps members

    Desist from violent crimes – Uzodimma urges corps members

    Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo has advised National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members in the state to desist from activities that could rub off on their future.
    The Governor gave the advice at a Passing Out Parade organised by the NYSC, for the 2021 Batch A Stream II Corps members, in Owerri, on Thursday.
    Uzodimma, who was represented by the State’s Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Mr Dan Ogu, congratulated the 965 Corps members on a successful service year and urged them to shun all forms of violent crimes and criminality.
    He harped on sound morality as the bedrock for excellence in life’s journey, without which success might elude an individual.
    He also thanked the Corps members for their patriotism as shown in their enviable contributions to the socio-economic development of the state throughout the service year.
    ” I salute your diligence, hard-work, and exceptional determination which have contributed in no small measure to the socio-economic development of our dear state.
    “I now wish to disengage the 2021 Batch A Stream II Corps members in Imo,” he said.
    Speaking, the NYSC Coordinator in the state, Mrs Rachael Idaewor thanked the corps members for keeping faith with the scheme and advised them to put the skills acquired during the service year to good use.
    She thanked the governor for providing the enabling environment for the scheme’s activities to thrive in Imo and advised the corps members to avoid night travel.
    She however commiserated with the government and people of the state over the recent inferno that claimed the lives of over 100 persons.